A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 269. Of the meaning of these words, They vvandred in desarts and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the Earth.

THE Apostle having shewed the true reason of Saints suffering in this vvorld, returns to set out their vvandrings, not onely from one habitable place to another, but also to desolate places, and habitations of vvilde beasts. Hereof he giveth four distinct instances.

• 1. Deserts.
• 2. Mountains.
• 3. Dens.
• 4. Caves of the Earth.

In expressing the main point of vvandring, the Apostle useth a 1.1 another word than before.

The b 1.2 former implied a going up and down from one Citie, or Town, or house to another in hope somewhere to finde succour: but they utterly failed of their hope, as the forementioned aggravations shew.

The vvord here used implieth such a vvandring as is vvithout hope of sue∣cour: a vvandring in unknown places, vvhen men know not vvhere they are, nor vvhether they may go: but are as blinde men: for they are said thus to vvander, Lam. 4. 14. Deut. 27. 18.

The Hebrew vvord signifieth the very same thing. It is used of Abrahams vvandring from his Countrey, Gen. 20. 13. concerning vvhich it is said, that he went out not knowing whether he went, vers. 8. It is also used of Hagars vvan∣dring, she knew not vvhether, Gen. 21. 12. And of Iosephs vvandring in the field, Gen. 37. 15.

The LXX. do use to expound that Hebrew vvord vvith the vvord here used by* 1.3 the Apostle; It is attributed to a sheep that goeth astray, called a vvandring sheep, Psal. 119. ult. Ezek. 34. 6. Matth. 18. 12.

The aggravation of this vvord by the places here expressed, sheweth that such a kinde of vvandring is here meant.

The first is stiled, desarts, and that according to the true meaning, and nota∣tion of the e 1.4 Greek and Latin vvord: places deserted and forsaken of men, vvaste places, no vvay tilled: none inhabiting there but vvilde beasts.

The second is, f 1.5 mountains. These by reason of their height are unfit for habitation, and left desolate: yet fit to hide from the sight of other men, Josh. 2. 16.

The third, g 1.6 Dens. These vvere holes in Rocks, vvhich by reason of the craggednesse of stones do many times grow naturally: and beasts oft take them for their resting places.

Sometimes holes in rocks are made by art of men, as the grave where Christ was laid, Matth. 27. 60. It is probable that Lazarus his grave was such an one, it hath this name given unto it, Iohn 11. 38. and we translate it a h 1.7 cave.

The Apostle here seemeth so to take it, because the other place, signifieth such a secret place, for

The fourth place according to the notation thereof signifieth such a secret place, as he that is in it may espie others, and not be seen himself; we translate it i 1.8 Caves of the earth: so as this setteth out holes in the earth; as the former set out holes in rocks.

Such as these, both men and beasts doth make.

The former are oft in Scripture stiled holes in rocks, Isa. 7. 19. Jer. 16. 16. And they are distinguished as here, from caves of the earth.

Some Caves were so big as they could lodge fiftie men together, 1 King. 18. 4. Yea, six hundred: For David had an Army of about six hundred men, 1 Sam. 23. 13. and they were in a cave together. When men were in Dens and Caves, it was when they durst abide no where else, as the Israelites, 1 Sam. 13. 6. and the Pro∣phets, 1 King. 18. 4. Therefore they are said to be hid therein.

Ordinarily and most usually Desarts, Mountains, Dens, and Caves of the earth are the habitations of wild and savage beasts. Mark 1. 13. which implyeth that Confessors of the true Faith have less feared wild and savage beasts, than persecu∣ting men: for they have fled from the habitation of such men, to the habitation of beasts.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• e 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. desertus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, deser∣tum.
• f 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, ab 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, mons.
• g 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• h 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• i 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.